ABSTRACT
We reviewed retrospectively 120 patients with histologically diagnosed gallbladder carcinoma and collected during 16-years (1974-1989). Age and sex, annual distribution, predisposing factors, histological findings, clinical manifestations, complementary diagnostic methods, therapeutic measures and follow-up of patients were analyzed. Our results suggest the following conclusions: a) the annual incidence of gallbladder carcinoma remains unchanged; b) there is a close association with gallstones; c) the late diagnosis is due to unspecificity of clinical manifestations and low diagnostic effectivity of complementary methods; d) computed tomography and laparoscopy are the more effective complementary diagnostic methods in advanced gallbladder carcinoma; e) early gallbladder carcinoma is only diagnosed casually in cholecystectomy pieces; f) only the early carcinoma (grade I or II) is curable.
